Therapeutic compounds

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a compound having a structure 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a prodrug thereof. Therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/803,040, filed on May 24, 2006, and which is incorporated here by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Ocular hypotensive agents are useful in the treatment of a number of various ocular hypertensive conditions, such as post-surgical and post-laser trabeculectomy ocular hypertensive episodes, glaucoma, and as presurgical adjuncts.

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by increased intraocular pressure. On the basis of its etiology, glaucoma has been classified as primary or secondary. For example, primary glaucoma in adults (congenital glaucoma) may be either open-angle or acute or chronic angle-closure. Secondary glaucoma results from pre-existing ocular diseases such as uveitis, intraocular tumor or an enlarged cataract.

The underlying causes of primary glaucoma are not yet known. The increased intraocular tension is due to the obstruction of aqueous humor outflow. In chronic open-angle glaucoma, the anterior chamber and its anatomic structures appear normal, but drainage of the aqueous humor is impeded. In acute or chronic angle-closure glaucoma, the anterior chamber is shallow, the filtration angle is narrowed, and the iris may obstruct the trabecular meshwork at the entrance of the canal of Schlemm. Dilation of the pupil may push the root of the iris forward against the angle, and may produce pupilary block and thus precipitate an acute attack. Eyes with narrow anterior chamber angles are predisposed to acute angle-closure glaucoma attacks of various degrees of severity.

Secondary glaucoma is caused by any interference with the flow of aqueous humor from the posterior chamber into the anterior chamber and subsequently, into the canal of Schlemm. Inflammatory disease of the anterior segment may prevent aqueous escape by causing complete posterior synechia in iris bombe, and may plug the drainage channel with exudates. Other common causes are intraocular tumors, enlarged cataracts, central retinal vein occlusion, trauma to the eye, operative procedures and intraocular hemorrhage.

Considering all types together, glaucoma occurs in about 2% of all persons over the age of 40 and may be asymptotic for years before progressing to rapid loss of vision. In cases where surgery is not indicated, topical β-adrenoreceptor antagonists have traditionally been the drugs of choice for treating glaucoma.

Certain eicosanoids and their derivatives are currently commercially available for use in glaucoma management. Eicosanoids and derivatives include numerous biologically important compounds such as prostaglandins and their derivatives. Prostaglandins can be described as derivatives of prostanoic acid which have the following structural formula:

Various types of prostaglandins are known, depending on the structure and substituents carried on the alicyclic ring of the prostanoic acid skeleton. Further classification is based on the number of unsaturated bonds in the side chain indicated by numerical subscripts after the generic type of prostaglandin [e.g. prostaglandin E₁(PGE₁), prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂)], and on the configuration of the substituents on the alicyclic ring indicated by α or β [e.g. prostaglandin F_(2α)(PGF_(2β))].

Disclosed herein is a compound having a structure

-   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; -   wherein Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester     thereof comprising up to 14 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or     an ether thereof comprising up to 14 carbon atoms; or Y is a     tetrazolyl functional group; -   A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1     or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced by S or O; or A is     —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene or     heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein     one CH₂ may be replaced by S or O; -   J is C═O, CHOH, CHF, CHCl, CHBr, or CHCN; and -   B is substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl.

Also disclosed herein is a carboxylic acid or a bioisostere thereof, said carboxylic acid having a structure

-   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; -   wherein A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—,     wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced by S or O; or A is     —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene or     heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein     one CH₂ may be replaced by S or O; -   J is C═O, CHOH, CHF, CHCl, CHBr, or CHCN; and -   B is substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a method of preparing compound 1d.

FIG. 2 depicts a method of preparing compound 2e.

FIG. 3 depicts a method of preparing compound 3h.

FIG. 4 depicts a method of preparing compound 4f.

FIG. 5 depicts a method of preparing compound 5e.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

“Bioisosteres are substituents or groups that have chemical or physical similarities, and which produce broadly similar biological properties.” Silverman, Richard B., The Organic Chemistry of Drug Design and Drug Action, 2^(nd) Edition, Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press, 2004, p. 29.

While not intending to be limiting, organic acid functional groups are bioisoteres of carboxylic acids. An organic acid functional group is an acidic functional group on an organic molecule. While not intending to be limiting, organic acid functional groups may comprise an oxide of carbon, sulfur, or phosphorous. Thus, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, in certain compounds Y is a carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, or phosphonic acid functional group.

Additionally, an amide or ester of one of the organic acids shown above comprising up to 14 carbon atoms is also contemplated. In an ester, a hydrocarbyl moiety replaces a hydrogen atom of an acid such as in a carboxylic acid ester, e.g. CO₂Me, CO₂Et, etc.

In an amide, an amine group replaces an OH of the acid. Examples of amides include CON(R²)₂, CON(OR²)R², CON(CH₂CH₂OH)₂, and CONH(CH₂CH₂OH) where R² is independently H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, or biphenyl. Moieties such as CONHSO₂R² are also amides of the carboxylic acid notwithstanding the fact that they may also be considered to be amides of the sulfonic acid R²—SO₃H. The following amides are also specifically contemplated, CONSO₂-biphenyl, CONSO₂-phenyl, CONSO₂-heteroaryl, and CONSO₂-naphthyl. The biphenyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, or naphthyl may be substituted or unsubstituted.

Han et. al. (Biorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 15 (2005) 3487-3490) has recently shown that the groups shown below are suitable bioisosteres for a carboxylic acid. The activity of compounds with these groups in inhibiting HCV NS3 protease was comparable to or superior to similar compounds where the group is replaced by CO₂H. Thus, Y could be any group depicted below.

-   Carboxylic Acid Bioisosteres According to Han et al.

While not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, Y may also be hydroxymethyl or an ether thereof comprising up to 14 carbon atoms. An ether is a functional group wherein a hydrogen of an hydroxyl is replaced by carbon, e.g., Y is CH₂OCH₃, CH₂OCH₂CH₃, etc. These groups are also bioisosteres of a carboxylic acid.

“Up to 14 carbon atoms” means that the entire Y moiety, including the carbonyl carbon of a carboxylic acid ester or amide, and both carbon atoms in the —CH₂O—C of an ether has 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 carbon atoms.

Finally, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, Y may be a tetrazolyl functional group.

While not intending to be limiting, examples of compounds having the identified Y are depicted below. In these examples R is H or hydrocarbyl, subject to the constraints defined herein. Each structure below represents a specific embodiment which is individually contemplated, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs of compounds which are represented by the structures. However, other examples are possible which may not fall within the scope of the structures shown below.

A tetrazolyl functional group is another bioisostere of a carboxylic acid. An unsubstituted tetrazolyl functional group has two tautomeric forms, which can rapidly interconvert in aqueous or biological media, and are thus equivalent to one another. These tautomers are shown below.

-   Additionally, if R² is C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, or biphenyl, other     isomeric forms of the tetrazolyl functional group such as the one     shown below are also possible, unsubstituted and hydrocarbyl     substituted tetrazolyl up to C₁₂ are considered to be within the     scope of the term “tetrazolyl.”

While not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, in one embodiment, Y is CO₂R², CON(R²)₂, CON(OR²)R², CON(CH₂CH₂OH)₂, CONH(CH₂CH₂OH), CH₂OH, P(O)(OH)₂, CONHSO₂R², SO₂N(R²)₂, SO₂NHR²,

-   wherein R² is independently H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl, or     unsubstituted biphenyl.

According to Silverman (p. 30), the moieties shown below are also bioisosteres of a carboxylic acid.

-   Carboxylic Acid Bioisosteres According to Silverman

Orlek et al. (J. Med. Chem. 1991, 34, 2726-2735) described oxadiazoles as suitable bioisosteres for a carboxylic acid. These ester replacements were shown to be potent muscarinic agonists having improved metabolic stability. Oxadiazoles were also described by Anderson et al. (Eur. J. Med. Chem. 1996, 31, 417-425) as carboxamide replacements having improved in vivo efficacy at the benzodiazepine receptor.

-   Carboxylic Acid Bioisosteres According to Orlek et. al.

Kohara et al. (J. Med. Chem. 1996, 39, 5228-5235) described acidic heterocycles as suitable bioisosteres for a tetrazole. These carboxylic acid replacements were shown to be potent angiotensin 11 receptor antagonists having improved metabolic stability.

-   Tetrazole Bioisosteres According to Kohara et. al.

Drysdale et al. (J. Med. Chem. 1992, 35, 2573-2581) have described carboxylic acid mimics of non-peptide CCK—B receptor antagonists. The binding affinities of many of the bioisosteres are similar to the parent carboxylic acid.

-   Carboxylic Acid Bioisosteres According to Drysdale et. al.

In relation to the identity of A disclosed in the chemical structures presented herein, A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis—CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced with S or O; or A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein one CH₂ may be replaced with S or O.

While not intending to be limiting, A may be —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—.

Alternatively, A may be a group which is related to one of these three moieties in that any carbon is replaced with S and/or O. For example, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, A may be a moiety where S replaces one or two carbon atoms such as one of the following or the like.

Alternatively, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, A may be a moiety where O replaces one or two carbon atoms such as one of the following or the like.

Alternatively, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, A may have an O replacing one carbon atom and an S replacing another carbon atom, such as one of the following or the like.

Alternatively, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, in certain embodiments A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein one CH₂ may be replaced with S or O. In other words, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way,

in one embodiment A comprises 1, 2, 3, or 4 CH₂ moieties and Ar, e.g. —CH₂—Ar—, —(CH₂)₂—Ar—, —CH₂—Ar—CH₂—, —CH₂Ar—(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₂—Ar—(CH₂)₂—, and the like; in another embodiment A comprises: O; 0, 1, 2, or 3 CH₂ moieties; and Ar, e.g., —O—Ar—, Ar—CH₂—O—, —O—Ar—(CH₂)₂—, —O—CH₂—Ar—, —O—CH₂—Ar—(CH₂)₂, and the like; or in another embodiment A comprises: S; 0, 1, 2, or 3 CH₂ moieties; and Ar, e.g., —S—Ar—, Ar—CH₂—S—, —S—Ar—(CH₂)₂—, —S—CH₂—Ar—, —S—CH₂—Ar—(CH₂)₂, —(CH₂)₂—S—Ar, and the like.

In another embodiment, the sum of m and o is 2, 3, or 4 wherein one CH₂ may be replaced with S or O.

In another embodiment, the sum of m and o is 3 wherein one CH₂ may be replaced with S or O.

In another embodiment, the sum of m and o is 2 wherein one CH₂ may be replaced with S or O.

In another embodiment, the sum of m and o is 4 wherein one CH₂ may be replaced with S or O.

Interarylene or heterointerarylene refers to an aryl ring or ring system or a heteroaryl ring or ring system which connects two other parts of a molecule, i.e. the two parts are bonded to the ring in two distinct ring positions. Interarylene or heterointerarylene may be substituted or unsubstituted. Unsubstituted interarylene or heterointerarylene has no substituents other than the two parts of the molecule it connects. Substituted interarylene or heterointerarylene has substituents in addition to the two parts of the molecule it connects.

In one embodiment, Ar is substituted or unsubstituted interphenylene, interthienylene, interfurylene, interpyridinylene, interoxazolylene, and interthiazolylene. In another embodiment Ar is interphenylene (Ph). In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂—Ph-. While not intending to limit scope of the invention in any way, substituents may have 4 or less heavy atoms, wherein the heavy atoms are C, N, O, S, P, F, Cl, Br, and/or I in any stable combination. Any number of hydrogen atoms required for a particular substituent will also be included. A substituent must be stable enough for the compound to be useful as described herein. In addition to the atoms listed above, a substituent may also have a metal cation or any other stable cation having an atom not listed above if the substituent is acidic and the salt form is stable. For example, —OH may form an —O⁻Na⁺ salt or CO₂H may form a CO₂ ⁻K⁺ salt. Any cation of the salt is not counted in the “4 or less heavy atoms.” Thus, the substituent may be

-   hydrocarbyl having up to 4 carbon atoms, including alkyl up to C₄,     alkenyl, alkynyl, and the like; -   hydrocarbyloxy up to C₃; -   organic acid such as CO₂H, SO₃H, P(O)(OH)₂, and the like, and salts     thereof; -   CF₃; -   halo, such as F, Cl, or Br; -   hydroxyl; -   NH₂ and alkylamine functional groups up to C₃; -   other N or S containing substituents such as CN, NO₂, and the like; -   and the like.

In one embodiment A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interphenylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, or 3, and wherein one CH₂ may be replaced with S or O.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—Ar—OCH₂—. In another embodiment A is —CH₂—Ar—OCH₂— and Ar is interphenylene. In another embodiment, Ar is attached at the 1 and 3 positions, otherwise known as m-interphenylene, such as when A has the structure shown below.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced with S or O; or A is —(CH₂)₂-Ph- wherein one CH₂ may be replaced with S or O.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced with S or O; or A is —(CH₂)₂—Ph-.

In other embodiments, A has one of the following structures, where Y is attached to the aromatic or heteroaromatic ring.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂OCH₂Ar.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂SCH₂Ar.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₃Ar.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂O(CH₂)₄.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂S(CH₂)₄.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₆—.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂—.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂—.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂—.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂—.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃—.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh is m-interphenylene.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄—.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is 2,5-interthienylene.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is 2,5-interfurylene.

In another embodiment A is (3-methylphenoxy)methyl.

In another embodiment A is (4-but-2-ynyloxy)methyl.

In another embodiment A is 2-(2-ethylthio)thiazol-4-yl.

In another embodiment A is 2-(3-propyl)thiazol-5-yl.

In another embodiment A is 3-methoxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is 3-(3-propylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is 3-methylphenethyl.

In another embodiment A is 4-(2-ethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is 4-phenethyl.

In another embodiment A is 4-methoxybutyl.

In another embodiment A is 5-(methoxymethyl)furan-2-yl.

In another embodiment A is 5-(methoxymethyl)thiophen-2-yl.

In another embodiment A is 5-(3-propyl)furan-2-yl.

In another embodiment A is 5-(3-propyl)thiophen-2-yl.

In another embodiment A is 6-hexyl.

In another embodiment A is (Z)-6-hex-4-enyl.

In another embodiment, A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein one CH₂ may be replaced by S or O.

In another embodiment, A is —(CH₂)₃Ar—, —O(CH₂)₂Ar—, —CH₂OCH₂Ar—, —(CH₂)₂OAr, —O(CH₂)₂Ar—, —CH₂OCH₂Ar— or —(CH₂)₂OAr, wherein Ar is monocyclic interheteroarylene.

In another embodiment, Ar is interthienylene.

In another embodiment, Ar is interthiazolylene.

In another embodiment, Ar is interoxazolylene.

In another embodiment, A is 6-hexyl.

In another embodiment, A is (Z)-6-hex-4-enyl.

Compounds according to the each of the structures depicted below, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and prodrugs thereof, are contemplated as individual embodiments. In other words, each structure represents a different embodiment.

J is C═O, CHOH, CHF, CHCl, CHBr, or CHCN. Thus, each structure depicted below represents a compound embodiment which is individually contemplated. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs of compounds according to the structures below are also contemplated.

Aryl is an aromatic ring or ring system such as phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, and the like.

Heteroaryl is aryl having one or more N, O, or S atoms in the ring, i.e. one or more ring carbons are substituted by N, O, and/or S. While not intending to be limiting, examples of heteroaryl include thienyl, pyridinyl, furyl, benzothienyl, benzofuryl, imidizololyl, indolyl, and the like.

A substituent of aryl or heteroaryl may have up to 20 non-hydrogen atoms each in any stable combination and as many hydrogen atoms as necessary, wherein the non-hydrogen atoms are C, N, O, S, P, F, Cl, Br, and/or I in any stable combination. However, the total number of non-hydrogen atoms on all of the substituents combined must also be 20 or less. A substituent must be sufficiently stable for the compound to be useful as described herein. In addition to the atoms listed above, a substituent may also have a metal cation or other stable cation having an atom not listed above if the substituent is acidic and the salt form is stable. For example, —OH may form an —O⁻Na⁺ salt or CO₂H may form a CO₂ ⁻K⁺ salt. Thus, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, a substituent may be:

hydrocarbyl, i.e. a moiety consisting of only carbon and hydrogen such as alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and the like, including linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbyl, and combinations thereof; hydrocarbyloxy, meaning O-hydrocarbyl such as OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, O-cyclohexyl, etc, up to 19 carbon atoms; other ether substituents such as CH₂OCH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH(CH₃)₂, and the like; thioether substituents including S-hydrocarbyl and other thioether substituents;

-   hydroxyhydrocarbyl, meaning hydrocarbyl-OH such as CH₂OH, C(CH₃)₂OH,     etc, up to 19 carbon atoms; -   nitrogen substituents such as NO₂, CN, and the like, including -   amino, such as NH₂, NH(CH₂CH₃OH), NHCH₃, and the like up to 19     carbon atoms; -   carbonyl substituents, such as CO₂H, ester, amide, and the like; -   halogen, such as chloro, fluoro, bromo, and the like -   fluorocarbyl, such as CF₃, CF₂CF₃, etc.; -   phosphorous substituents, such as PO₃ ²⁻, and the like; -   sulfur substituents, including S-hydrocarbyl, SH, SO₃H,     SO₂-hydrocarbyl, SO₃-hydrocarbyl, and the like.

Substituted aryl or heteroaryl may have as many substituents as the ring or ring system will bear, and the substituents may be the same or different. Thus, for example, an aryl ring or a heteroaryl ring may be substituted with chloro and methyl; methyl, OH, and F; CN, NO₂, and ethyl; and the like including any conceivable substituent or combination of substituent possible in light of this disclosure.

Substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl also includes a bicyclic or polycyclic ring system wherein one or more rings are aromatic and one or more rings are not. For example, indanonyl, indanyl, indanolyl, tetralonyl, and the like are substituted aryl. For this type of polycyclic ring system, an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, not a non-aromatic ring, must be attached to the remainder of the molecule. In other words, in any structure depicting —B herein, where — is a bond, the bond is a direct bond to an aromatic ring.

In one embodiment, B is substituted aryl or heteroaryl.

In another embodiment B is substituted phenyl.

In another embodiment B has no halogen atoms.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxybutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxyheptyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxypentyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(3-hydroxy-2-methylheptan-2-yl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(3-hydroxy-2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 1-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl.

In another embodiment B is 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl.

In another embodiment B is 3-(hydroxy(1-propylcyclobutyl)methyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxy-5,5-dimethylhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(hydroxy(1-propylcyclobutyl)methyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-tert-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-hexylphenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxy-3-phenylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(2-cyclohexyl-1-hydroxyethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(3-cyclohexyl-1-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(cyclohexyl(hydroxy)methyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment B is 4-(hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)phenyl.

Another embodiment is a compound according to the structure

-   or a pharmaceutical salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof, -   wherein R is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl. -   Another embodiment is a compound according to the structure

-   or a pharmaceutical salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof, -   wherein R is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl. -   Another embodiment is a compound according to the structure

-   or a pharmaceutical salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof, -   wherein R is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl. -   Another embodiment is a compound according to the structure

“C1-10” hydrocarbyl is hydrocarbyl having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 carbon atoms.

Hydrocarbyl is a moiety consisting of only carbon and hydrogen, and includes, but is not limited to alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and the like, and in some cases aryl, and combinations thereof.

-   Alkyl is hydrocarbyl having no double or triple bonds including: -   linear alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl,     n-hexyl, and the like;     branched alkyl such as isopropyl, branched butyl isomers (i.e.     sec-butyl, tert-butyl, etc), branched pentyl isomers (i.e.     isopentyl, etc), branched hexyl isomers, and higher branched alkyl     fragments; -   cycloalkyl such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,     cycloheptyl, etc.; and     alkyl fragments consisting of both cyclic and noncyclic components,     whether linear or branched, which may be attached to the remainder     of the molecule at any available position including terminal,     internal, or ring carbon atoms.

Alkenyl is hydrocarbyl having one or more double bonds including linear alkenyl, branched alkenyl, cyclic alkenyl, and combinations thereof in analogy to alkyl. Alkynyl is hydrocarbyl having one or more triple bonds including linear alkynyl, branched alkynyl, cyclic alkynyl and combinations thereof in analogy to alkyl.

Aryl is an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic ring or ring system such as phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, and the like. Aryl may or may not be hydrocarbyl, depending upon whether it has substituents with heteroatoms. Arylalkyl is alkyl which is substituted with aryl. In other words alkyl connects aryl to the remaining part of the molecule. Examples are —CH₂-Phenyl, —CH₂—CH₂-Phenyl, and the like. Arylalkyl may or may not be hydrocarbyl, depending upon whether it has substituents with heteroatoms. Unconjugated dienes or polyenes have one or more double bonds which are not conjugated. They may be linear, branched, or cyclic, or a combination thereof.

-   Combinations of the above are also possible.

Thus, each of the structures below is contemplated. These structures, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or prodrugs thereof, individually represent a compound which is an embodiment contemplated herein. In other words, each structure represents a different embodiment.

In the above embodiments, x is 5, 6, or 7, and y+z is 2×+1.

In one embodiment, x is 5 and y+z is 11.

In another embodiment, x is 6 and y+z is 13.

In another embodiment, x is 7 and y+z is 15.

Hypothetical examples of useful compounds are shown below.

COMPOUND EXAMPLES

-   The following are hypothetical examples of useful compounds:

Compound Example 1 A Compound Having a Structure

-   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof;     wherein Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester     thereof comprising up to 14 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or     an ether thereof comprising up to 14 carbon atoms; or Y is a     tetrazolyl functional group;     A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1     or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced by S or O; or A is     —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene or     heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein     one CH₂ may be replaced by S or O; -   J is C═O, CHOH, CHF, CHCl, CHBr, or CHCN; and -   B is substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl.

Compound Example 2 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 Wherein Y is Selected from CO₂R², CON(R²)₂, CON(OR²)R², CON(CH₂CH₂OH)₂, CONH(CH₂CH₂OH), CH₂OH, P(O)(OH)₂, CONHSO₂R², SO₂N(R²)₂, SO₂NHR²,

-   wherein R² is independently H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl, or     unsubstituted biphenyl.

Compound Example 3 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein B is Substituted Phenyl Compound Example 4 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 Having a Structure

-   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; -   R is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl.

Compound Example 5 The Compound According to Compound Example 4 wherein R is Alkyl Compound Example 6 The Compound According to Compound Example 4 wherein R is Arylalkyl Compound Example 7 The Compound According to Compound Example any one of Compound Examples 1 to 6 Having a Structure

-   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; -   R is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl.

Compound Example 8 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is (3-methylphenoxy)methyl Compound Example 9 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is (4-but-2-ynyloxy)methyl Compound Example 10 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 2-(2-ethylthio)thiazol-4-yl Compound Example 11 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 2-(3-propyl)thiazol-5-yl Compound Example 12 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 3-methoxymethyl)phenyl Compound Example 13 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 3-(3-propylphenyl Compound Example 14 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 3-methylphenethyl Compound Example 15 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 4-(2-ethyl)phenyl Compound Example 16 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 4-phenethyl Compound Example 17 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 4-methoxybutyl Compound Example 18 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 5-(methoxymethyl)furan-2-yl Compound Example 19 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 5-(methoxymethyl)thiophen-2-yl Compound Example 20 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 5-(3-propyl)furan-2-yl Compound Example 21 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 5-(3-propyl)thiophen-2-yl Compound Example 22 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is 6-hexyl Compound Example 23 The Compound According to Compound Example 1 or 2 wherein A is (Z)-6-hex-4-enyl Compound Example 24 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl Compound Example 25 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)phenyl Compound Example 26 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl Compound Example 27 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxybutyl)phenyl Compound Example 28 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxyheptyl)phenyl Compound Example 29 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl Compound Example 30 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxypentyl)phenyl Compound Example 31 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxypropyl)phenyl Compound Example 32 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(3-hydroxy-2-methylheptan-2-yl)phenyl Compound Example 33 The compound according to any one of compound examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(3-hydroxy-2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenyl Compound Example 34 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 1-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl Compound Example 35 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl Compound Example 36 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 3-(hydroxy(1-propylcyclobutyl)methyl)phenyl Compound Example 37 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxy-5,5-dimethylhexyl)phenyl Compound Example 38. The compound according to any one of compound examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(hydroxy(1-propylcyclobutyl)methyl)phenyl Compound Example 39 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-tert-butylphenyl Compound Example 40 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-hexylphenyl Compound Example 41 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl Compound Example 42 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxy-3-phenylpropyl)phenyl Compound Example 43 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl Compound Example 44 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(2-cyclohexyl-1-hydroxyethyl)phenyl Compound Example 45 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(3-cyclohexyl-1-hydroxypropyl)phenyl Compound Example 46 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(cyclohexyl(hydroxy)methyl)phenyl Compound Example 47 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl Compound Example 48 The Compound According to any one of Compound Examples 1, 2, and 8-23 wherein B is 4-(hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)phenyl The following are hypothetical examples of compositions, kits, methods, uses, and medicaments employing the hypothetical compound examples. Composition Example A composition comprising a compound according to any one of compound examples 1 to 48, wherein said composition is a liquid which is ophthalmically acceptable. Medicament Examples Use of a compound according to any one of compound examples 1 to 48 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension in a mammal. A medicament comprising a compound according to any one of compound examples 1 to 48, wherein said composition is a liquid which is ophthalmically acceptable. Method Example A method comprising administering a compound according to any one of compound examples 1 to 48 to a mammal for the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Kit Example A kit comprising a composition comprising compound according to any one of compound examples 1 to 48, a container, and instructions for administration of said composition to a mammal for the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” is any salt that retains the activity of the parent compound and does not impart any additional deleterious or untoward effects on the subject to which it is administered and in the context in which it is administered compared to the parent compound. A pharmaceutically acceptable salt also refers to any salt which may form in vivo as a result of administration of an acid, another salt, or a prodrug which is converted into an acid or salt.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of acidic functional groups may be derived from organic or inorganic bases. The salt may comprise a mono or polyvalent ion. Of particular interest are the inorganic ions lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Organic salts may be made with amines, particularly ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and trialkyl amines or ethanol amines. Salts may also be formed with caffeine, tromethamine and similar molecules. Hydrochloric acid or some other pharmaceutically acceptable acid may form a salt with a compound that includes a basic group, such as an amine or a pyridine ring.

A “prodrug” is a compound which is converted to a therapeutically active compound after administration, and the term should be interpreted as broadly herein as is generally understood in the art. While not intending to limit the scope of the invention, conversion may occur by hydrolysis of an ester group or some other biologically labile group. Generally, but not necessarily, a prodrug is inactive or less active than the therapeutically active compound to which it is converted. Ester prodrugs of the compounds disclosed herein are specifically contemplated. An ester may be derived from a carboxylic acid of C1 (i.e. the terminal carboxylic acid of a natural prostaglandin), or an ester may be derived from a carboxylic acid functional group on another part of the molecule, such as on a phenyl ring. While not intending to be limiting, an ester may be an alkyl ester, an aryl ester, or a heteroaryl ester. The term alkyl has the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art and refers to linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl moieties. C₁₋₆ alkyl esters are particularly useful, where alkyl part of the ester has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and includes, but is not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl isomers, hexyl isomers, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and combinations thereof having from 1-6 carbon atoms, etc.

Those skilled in the art will readily understand that for administration or the manufacture of medicaments the compounds disclosed herein can be admixed with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which per se are well known in the art. Specifically, a drug to be administered systemically, it may be confected as a powder, pill, tablet or the like, or as a solution, emulsion, suspension, aerosol, syrup or elixir suitable for oral or parenteral administration or inhalation.

For solid dosage forms or medicaments, non-toxic solid carriers include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, the polyalkylene glycols, talcum, cellulose, glucose, sucrose and magnesium carbonate. The solid dosage forms may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be employed. They may also be coated by the technique described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,256,108; 4,166,452; and 4,265,874 to form osmotic therapeutic tablets for control release. Liquid pharmaceutically administrable dosage forms can, for example, comprise a solution or suspension of one or more of the presently useful compounds and optional pharmaceutical adjutants in a carrier, such as for example, water, saline, aqueous dextrose, glycerol, ethanol and the like, to thereby form a solution or suspension. If desired, the pharmaceutical composition to be administered may also contain minor amounts of nontoxic auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents and the like. Typical examples of such auxiliary agents are sodium acetate, sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamine, sodium acetate, triethanolamine oleate, etc. Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in this art; for example, see Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 16th Edition, 1980. The composition of the formulation to be administered, in any event, contains a quantity of one or more of the presently useful compounds in an amount effective to provide the desired therapeutic effect.

Parenteral administration is generally characterized by injection, either subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously. Injectables can be prepared in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for solution or suspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions. Suitable excipients are, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol and the like. In addition, if desired, the injectable pharmaceutical compositions to be administered may also contain minor amounts of non-toxic auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents and the like.

The amount of the presently useful compound or compounds administered is dependent on the therapeutic effect or effects desired, on the specific mammal being treated, on the severity and nature of the mammal's condition, on the manner of administration, on the potency and pharmacodynamics of the particular compound or compounds employed, and on the judgment of the prescribing physician. The therapeutically effective dosage of the presently useful compound or compounds may be in the range of about 0.5 or about 1 to about 100 mg/kg/day.

A liquid which is ophthalmically acceptable is formulated such that it can be administered topically to the eye. The comfort should be maximized as much as possible, although sometimes formulation considerations (e.g. drug stability) may necessitate less than optimal comfort. In the case that comfort cannot be maximized, the liquid should be formulated such that the liquid is tolerable to the patient for topical ophthalmic use. Additionally, an ophthalmically acceptable liquid should either be packaged for single use, or contain a preservative to prevent contamination over multiple uses.

For ophthalmic application, solutions or medicaments are often prepared using a physiological saline solution as a major vehicle. Ophthalmic solutions should preferably be maintained at a comfortable pH with an appropriate buffer system. The formulations may also contain conventional, pharmaceutically acceptable preservatives, stabilizers and surfactants.

Preservatives that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, benzalkonium chloride, chlorobutanol, thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate and phenylmercuric nitrate. A useful surfactant is, for example, Tween 80. Likewise, various useful vehicles may be used in the ophthalmic preparations of the present invention. These vehicles include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, poloxamers, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and purified water.

Tonicity adjustors may be added as needed or convenient. They include, but are not limited to, salts, particularly sodium chloride, potassium chloride, mannitol and glycerin, or any other suitable ophthalmically acceptable tonicity adjuster.

Various buffers and means for adjusting pH may be used so long as the resulting preparation is ophthalmically acceptable. Accordingly, buffers include acetate buffers, citrate buffers, phosphate buffers and borate buffers. Acids or bases may be used to adjust the pH of these formulations as needed.

In a similar vein, an ophthalmically acceptable antioxidant for use in the present invention includes, but is not limited to, sodium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate, acetylcysteine, butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene.

Other excipient components which may be included in the ophthalmic preparations are chelating agents. A useful chelating agent is edetate disodium, although other chelating agents may also be used in place or in conjunction with it.

The ingredients are usually used in the following amounts:

Ingredient Amount (% w/v) active ingredient about 0.001-5 preservative   0-0.10 vehicle 0-40 tonicity adjustor 1-10 buffer 0.01-10   pH adjustor q.s. pH 4.5-7.5 antioxidant as needed surfactant as needed purified water as needed to make 100%

For topical use, creams, ointments, gels, solutions or suspensions, etc., containing the compound disclosed herein are employed. Topical formulations may generally be comprised of a pharmaceutical carrier, cosolvent, emulsifier, penetration enhancer, preservative system, and emollient.

The actual dose of the active compounds of the present invention depends on the specific compound, and on the condition to be treated; the selection of the appropriate dose is well within the knowledge of the skilled artisan.

The compounds disclosed herein are also useful in combination with other drugs useful for the treatment of glaucoma or other conditions.

US patent application publication 2005/0176800, expressly incorporated herein by reference, describes the preparation of substituted pyrrolidine derivatives 1 a, 3 a and 4 a (see accompanying FIGS. 1-5). Pyrrolidine 1 a is arylated on nitrogen using aryl halide A employing Buchwald/Hartwig reaction procedures in order to install the ω-chain (FIG. 1). Standard deprotection and saponification procedures would then afford desired acid 1 d. Arylation may be carried out using a wide variety of substituted bromophenyl and other bromoaryl compounds, which are either available commercially or may be made according to published literature procedures. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/009,298, filed on Dec. 10, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/742,779 filed on Dec. 6, 2005, both of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein, disclose methods of making a number of useful substituted bromophenyl compounds. These procedures may also be readily adapted to other bromoaryl compounds such as substituted bromothienyl, substituted bromofuryl, substituted bromopyridinyl, substituted bromonaphthyl, substituted bromobenzothienyl, and the like.

Additionally, the hydroxyl of intermediate 1 c is protected and the C-9 ketone functionality is manipulated to the chloride derivative 2 d (FIG. 2). Standard deprotection and saponification procedures would then afford desired acid 2 e.

Compounds wherein J is CN compounds may be prepared by adapting the procedure disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/747,835, filed May 22, 2006, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Compounds wherein J is CHF may be prepared by adapting the procedures disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/009,298 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/742,779.

Compounds wherein J is CHBr may be prepared by adapting the procedures disclosed in Tani, K. et.al. (ONO) Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 2002, 10, 1883.

Alternative α-chains and ω-chains may also be envisioned by those skilled in the art. Thus, aldehyde 3 a is reacted with known phosphonium salts B in a Wittig reaction (FIG. 3). The resultant olefin may be removed by hydrogenation. Procedures described in US patent application publication 2005/0176800, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein, are then employed to arrive at intermediate 3 f. This intermediate is subjected to conditions similar to those depicted in FIG. 1 to arrive at arylated product 3 g (where B is substituted aryl or heteroaryl as described in the specification above). 3 g is then converted into 3 h according to the procedures of FIG. 2.

In one hypothetical example, pyrrolidine 4 a is alkylated using electrophile C to afford 4 b. Deprotection followed by arylation affords 4 d and subsequent manipulations described in FIG. 1 would then afford desired acid 4 f. Similar procedures may be carried by substituting the thienyl of C with phenyl (i.e. X—CH₂-phenyl-CO₂H) or another heteroaromatic ring such as furyl, pyridinyl, etc. These compounds are commercially available, or may be readily prepared by art recognized methods.

In another hypothetical example, pyrrolidine 4 a is oxidized using Swern oxidation conditions and then is converted into vinyl compound 5b. Grubbs' methathesis with olefin D (in accordance with the procedures of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/777,506, which was filed Feb. 28, 2006, expressly incorporated by reference herein) affords alkene 5 c. Hydrogenation, followed by manipulations described in FIG. 1 would then afford desired acid 5 e. Phenyl and other heteroaromatic rings such as thienyl, furyl, etc. may be substituted for the thienyl of D to yield similar products.

A person of ordinary skill in the art understands the meaning of the stereochemistry associated with the hatched wedge/solid wedge structural features. For example, an introductory organic chemistry textbook (Francis A. Carey, Organic Chemistry, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company 1987, p. 63) states “a wedge indicates a bond coming from the plane of the paper toward the viewer” and the hatched wedge, indicated as a “dashed line”, “represents a bond receding from the viewer.”

The foregoing description details specific methods and compositions that can be employed to practice the present invention, and represents the best mode contemplated. However, it is apparent for one of ordinary skill in the art that further compounds with the desired pharmacological properties can be prepared in an analogous manner, and that the disclosed compounds can also be obtained from different starting compounds via different chemical reactions. Similarly, different pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared and used with substantially the same result. Thus, however detailed the foregoing may appear in text, it should not be construed as limiting the overall scope hereof; rather, the ambit of the present invention is to be governed only by the lawful construction of the claims. 

1. A compound having a structure

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; wherein Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereof comprising up to 14 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an ether thereof comprising up to 14 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolyl functional group; A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C═C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced by S or O; or A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein one CH₂ may be replaced by S or O; J is C═O, CHOH, CHF, CHCl, CHBr, or CHCN; and B is substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl.
 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein Y is selected from CO₂R², CON(R²)₂, CON(OR²)R², CON(CH₂CH₂OH)₂, CONH(CH₂CH₂OH), CH₂OH, P(O)(OH)₂, CONHSO₂R², SO₂N(R²)₂, SO₂NHR²,

wherein R² is independently H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl, or unsubstituted biphenyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1 wherein B is substituted phenyl.
 4. The compound of claim 2 having a structure

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; R is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ hydrocarbyl.
 5. The compound of claim 4 wherein R is C₁₋₁₀ alkyl.
 6. The compound of claim 5, wherein A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein one CH₂ may be replaced by S or O.
 7. The compound of claim 6 wherein A is —(CH₂)₃Ar—, —O(CH₂)₂Ar—, —CH₂OCH₂Ar—, —(CH₂)₂OAr, —O(CH₂)₂Ar—, —CH₂OCH₂Ar—, or —(CH₂)₂OAr, wherein Ar is monocyclic interheteroarylene.
 8. The compound of claim 7 wherein Ar is interthienylene.
 9. The compound of claim 7 wherein Ar is interthiazolylene.
 10. The compound of claim 7 wherein Ar is interoxazolylene.
 11. The compound of claim 5 wherein A is 6-hexyl.
 12. The compound of claim 5 wherein A is (Z)-6-hex-4-enyl.
 13. The compound of claim 1 wherein J is C═O.
 14. The compound of claim 1 wherein J is CHOH.
 15. The compound of claim 1 wherein J is CHF.
 16. The compound of claim 1 wherein J is CHCl.
 17. The compound of claim 1 wherein J is CHBr.
 18. The compound of claim 1 wherein J is CHCN.
 19. A method comprising administering a compound of claim 1 to a mammal for the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
 20. A composition comprising a compound of claim 1, wherein said composition is a liquid which is ophthalmically acceptable. 